Galataport Istanbul wins "Best New Development Project" at the international MAPIC Awards
Galataport Istanbul — which transformed Istanbul's historic port into a vibrant gastronomy, culture, art and shopping neighborhood through innovative engineering and architectural work — has been awarded "Best New Development Project" at the international MAPIC Awards, which brings together giants of the retail sector from around the world.
Galataport Istanbul returned with a special award from the MAPIC 2023 Awards held on November 29 in Cannes, France, where the world's most prestigious projects competed. Galataport Istanbul won the "Best New Development Project" category — judged on innovative approaches enabled by new technologies, environmental impact, contribution to the surrounding area, architectural qualities, brand mix, customer satisfaction and shopping experience.
Organized this year under the theme "Era of Responsible Growth," the MAPIC Awards brought together 6,000 participants from 75 countries. Galataport Istanbul outperformed finalists from France and Poland in the category. Thanks to its special hatch system connected to the world's first underground cruise terminal, Galataport Istanbul opened Istanbul's historic port to public access and transformed it into a vibrant gastronomy, culture, art and shopping district — quickly becoming one of the city's favorite meeting points.
İrem Yücel Kaymak, Deputy General Manager of Asset Management and Leasing at Galataport Istanbul, expressed her pride in receiving the "Best New Development Project" award and said: "Galataport Istanbul stands out as a project that opened up a 1.2 km stretch of the Bosphorus coastline — closed to access since the late 19th century — while preserving the area's historical and cultural heritage, and brought the port function back to the city with an innovative approach. The project incorporates numerous engineering and architectural innovations and implements many practices to minimize environmental impact. Galataport Istanbul's experience-focused approach, brand mix bringing together international labels with local brands that reflect Türkiye and Istanbul's rich culture, and all of these qualities receiving the 'Best New Development Project' award at MAPIC is very meaningful for us."
Galataport Istanbul stands out with its innovative approach
In Galataport's special hatch system — which forms a temporary customs area when a ship berths and returns the shoreline to a public promenade when the ship leaves — the 29,000-square-meter underground cruise terminal, the first of its kind in the world, is connected to the temporary customs area via ramps. Thanks to this innovation, the unique shoreline of Karaköy — inaccessible since the late 19th century — remains open to guests except for the portion temporarily separated when a ship is docked, becoming one of the city's most special walking routes.
Special care has been taken to reduce the project's carbon footprint. Sea water is used instead of refrigerant gas in all buildings at Galataport Istanbul, providing 34% energy savings, reducing carbon emissions and replacing harmful refrigerant gases that contribute to climate change. With all this work, Galataport Istanbul became Europe's second-largest LEED Platinum-certified project.
Through 5,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs created, along with the economic momentum brought to tourism, Galataport Istanbul generates significant added value in the region and across Istanbul.
The city's premier shopping and gastronomy destination
After 8 years of intensive planning and development, Galataport Istanbul was realized with a total investment of $1.7 billion. Across a 112,000-square-meter area, it offers 230 retail and dining points serving every taste. The total leasable area allocated for retail and F&B is 52,000 square meters. Galataport Istanbul hosts the most important retail brands of both Türkiye and the world, where these brands offer fine touches that set them apart from their other locations.
Allocating 40% of its area to dining venues, Galataport Istanbul stands out as Istanbul's rich gastronomy hub. Its brand mix of local and international names offers guests a varied and rich experience. Combining two of Türkiye's leading art museums with public cultural and art events, it brings diverse audiences together in the same space.
For its guests, Galataport Istanbul creates experience-focused and innovative scenarios in a "breathing" environment where families can spend time safely. While cultural, artistic and entertainment events — along with experience tours offered via the mobile app — add new dimensions to shopping, special opportunities give cruise tourists the chance to closely experience local brands.
Hosting nearly 30 million visitors in its first two years, Galataport Istanbul is visited by 1 in every 4 tourists who come to the city. After 2023, it is projected to host 25 million visitors annually, including 1.5 million cruise passengers and crew.
